VATICAN CITY -- IOC President Thomas Bach isnt getting involved in the politics surrounding Romes rejection of its 2024 Olympics bid.Speaking on the sidelines of a Vatican convention on faith and sports Wednesday, Bach said he had been informed of the Rome situation by Italian Olympic Committee president Giovanni Malago.This is not up to me. I got this information about politics in Italy and Im here to listen, Bach said. You can imagine that this was a very interesting conversation, because politics in Italy is a very interesting topic. So I learned a lot yesterday.Romes city council voted last week to withdraw the bid, backing the decision of Mayor Virginia Raggi. However, the bid is still supported by Italian Premier Matteo Renzi amid discussion it could be revived if Raggis administration falls.Raggi, who represents the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, said that taking on the costs of an Olympic bid is irresponsible for a city struggling to emerge from years of corruption and poor public services.Raggi also attended the Vatican conference but did not cross paths with Bach.I dont know her, Bach said.Romes rejection leaves only Los Angeles, Paris, and Budapest, Hungary, in the running for the 2024 Games. The International Olympic Committee will decide on the host city in September 2017.Bach would not even weigh in on whether Romes bid can move forward without the citys support.I will not, he said. This is a political discussion here in Italy and the IOC is politically neutral, so we will not interfere in internal Italian politics.However, Bach did seem to acknowledge that the IOCs new Agenda 2020, which is designed to make the games less costly and more flexible, had not been fully taken into consideration by the city.Quite frankly I do not think that this discussion has a lot to do with the Olympic Games, Bach said. Thats the impression I get, that this is about internal Italian politics.International Paralympics Committee Philip Craven spoke as if the bid was dead.Its very disappointing, Craven told The Associated Press. I feel its a great loss to the race.Malago said he will hold a news conference on the bids status next week.---Andrew Dampf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/asdampfCheap Marlins Jerseys . Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee? Green had bounced around the NBA when he wasnt playing overseas. The Pacers gave up on Plumlee after just one season. Now Green and Plumlee are key cogs in the Suns surprising breakout season. Stitched Marlins Jerseys . They reached the 100-point plateau for the fourth time in five games, bested the visiting Trail Blazers by 34 in the paint and scored 19 of the final 25 points in regulation. https://www.cheapmarlinsjerseys.us/ . Jordan Lynch, the all-purpose Heisman Trophy finalist from Northern Illinois, failed to make it into that exclusive club. Miami Marlins Store . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Wholesale Marlins Jerseys . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday.PHILADELPHIA -- Ryan Howard finally figured out Max Scherzer. The same could not be said for his teammates.Scherzer didnt allow a hit until the sixth inning and he was dominant through eight as the Washington Nationals continued their mastery of the Philadelphia Phillies with a 3-2 victory Tuesday night.One of the aces only blemishes came in the seventh when Howard, who got the start despite being 1 for 18 with 11 strikeouts against Scherzer coming in, hit an opposite-field two-run home run to break up the shutout and pull the Phillies within 3-2.But Scherzer closed the door from there, striking out three more in the seventh and eighth en route to his 15th win of the season.Thats Scherzer, man, Howard said. Hes one of the best pitchers in the game for a reason. Hes got basically four-plus pitches that he can throw any time, any count, and throw them for strikes. He does a great job of keeping hitters off balance, mixing it up really. And hes got kind of a pit bulls mentality when hes out there on the mound, wanting to shove it to the other team.Scherzer (15-7) allowed three hits and struck out 11 while walking one. He was perfect through the first four innings, striking out five consecutive batters -- all swinging -- between the second and third innings.He has taken a no-hitter into the sixth in nine of his 61 all-time starts with the Nationals, and has allowed just five hits in his last two starts.Hey man, I mean thats why hes Max, Washington manager Dusty Baker said. You know we had a good chance to win when Max pitches, and theres a good chance of him going deep in the game.Mark Melancon pitched a scoreless ninth for his 37th save, getting a strikeout and inducing a big game-ending double play after issuing a leadoff walk.Freddy Galvis and Odubel Herrera collected the only other hits for the Phillies, who have lost six of eight to fall 12 games below .500. They have dropped their last eight games to first-place Washington, which matches the team record for consecutive losses vs. the Nationals/Expos franchise.We need to improve our plate discipline, Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. Were just not getting hits. But Scherzer was dominant, youve got to give him credit. Hes a tough cookie.Scherzer, who pitched two no-hitters last season, didnt allow a runnerr to reach base until Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp walked with one out in the fifth.ddddddddddddGalvis ripped a double to right-field to lead off the sixth to break up Scherzers no-hit bid, but was picked off second base by Scherzer to end the scoring threat.The Washington ace also had a sacrifice-bunt RBI in the fourth after Ryan Zimmerman walked and Danny Espinosa ripped a single.The Nationals staked Scherzer to an early lead in the first inning. With two outs and nobody on, Daniel Murphy doubled before scoring on a double by Bryce Harper, his 19th RBI in the last 19 games. Wilson Ramos brought Harper home with an RBI single to put the Nats ahead 2-0.Phillies starter Jerad Eickhoff (9-13), who walked just six batters in his last eight starts coming in, issued three walks and allowed five hits and three earned runs through six innings.The Murphy at-bat was kind of unfortunate, Eickhoff said. I thought I had him beat and he just got enough on it. That kind of started it.Scherzers double-digit strikeout game was the 12th of the season, setting a Nationals record. He improved his career record to 7-1 against the Phillies, including a 6-0 mark since he joined the Nats in 2015.HOWARDS STILL GOT POPHowards homer was the 20th of the season and the 377th of his career, tying him with Jeff Kent and Norm Cash for 73rd on MLBs all-time list. His next home run will tie him with Matt Williams for 72nd place.He has 10 career 20-homer seasons, the second most in Phillies history behind only Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt (14).Its cool, Howard said. I mean, it just goes to show to just keep trying to plow away, keep swinging, keep doing what you do. Even though its a lot less at-bats, hopefully it shows something.OWNING PHILLYThe Nationals, who opened their six-game road trip with a 4-0 victory over the Phillies on Monday, are 7-1 at Citizens Bank Park this season.TRAINERS ROOMPhillies: Peter Bourjois missed his second straight game after getting hit in the left wrist by a pitch Sunday.UP NEXTThe Phillies and Nationals wrap up their three-game series Wednesday night with Philadelphia LHP Adam Morgan (1-8, 6.50) opposing LHP Gio Gonzalez (9-9, 4.25). ' ' '